Leg bracket



Feb. 17, 1959 c. o. LARSON 2,873,987

7 LEG BRACKET Filed May 15, 1958 'FIGI United States Patent LEG BRACKET Charles 0. Larson, Sterling, 111. Application May 15, 1958, Serial No. 735,442 3 Claims. (Cl.-287-14) This invention relates to a. bracket structure for connecting legs to the under surfaces of flat supports such as a table top and more particularly to a bracket'which 18 adapted in one arrangement to hold the leg ina rigid non-folding condition with respect to the table top and in another arrangement to permit folding of the leg with respect to the table top.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved bracket of the type set forth for connecting legs to the under surfaces of a flat support such as table tops and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket of the type set forth which can be assembled with suitable bolts to hold an associated leg in a rigid and non-folding position with respect to the associated-table top.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved bracket of the type set forth which in addition to being suitable to hold a leg in a rigid non-folding condition can also support a leg in a folding condition with respect to an overlying associated table top.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. In the drawing wherein like reference numerals have been utilized to designate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective view with certain portions Each of the brackets comprises an attachment flange 22 with which there is formed integral a side plate 24, the flange 22 and the side plate 24 being disposed perpendicular to each other. The attachment flange has a plurality of apertures formed therein, five such apertures having been shown for purposes of illustration, to receive therethrough suitable fasteners such as the wood screws 26 which connect the bracket 20 to the overlying support surface 16. Preferably the junction between the attachment flange 22 and theside plate 24 is reinforced by means of the reinforcing ribs 28.

Referring particularly to Figure 2 of the drawing, it will be seen that the two brackets 20 are positioned apart a distance such as to receive the upper end of the leg 18 therebetween. In order to connect the leg 18 to the brackets 20, an upper circular aperture 30 is provided in each of the side plates 24, the aperture 30 being aligned horizontally in the center of the side plate 20 and being positioned upwardly near the juncture of the attachment flange 22 and the side plate 24. A suitable aperture is formed in the upper end of the leg 18 in alignment with the apertures 30 in the side plates 24 whereby to receive broken away of the underside of a table top or the like 8 having two of the improved brackets of the present invention mounted thereon and supporting therebetween a table leg in a rigid non-folding condition, all in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section through the assembly of Figure 1 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view with certain parts in section and other parts broken away showing the assembly of Figure 1 arranged to .permit folding of the leg, the leg being shown in the extended supporting position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the attaching bolts loosened and the leg dropped to a lower, non supporting position; v

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 4 showing the leg partly moved toward the folded position; and

Figure 6 isla view similar'to Figures 3 to 5 and showing the leg in the fully folded position and locked therein by means of the mounting bolts.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, there is shown a combination of a table top and a table leg and a pair of brackets made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the combination or assembly being generally designated by the numeral 10. The assembly 10 includes a planar support member in the form of a fiat table top 12 having an upper flat surface 14 and a lower flatsurface 16. Mounted on and in position to support the table top 12 is a depending leg 18 held in operative position with respect to the table top 12 by means of a pair of identical brackets generally designated by the numeral 20. I

therethrough a bolt 32. The apertures are arranged so that the upper end 34 of the leg 18 is in abutment with the underneath support surface 16 of the table top 12. In order to insure the rigidity of the leg 18 with respect to the brackets 20 and the table top 12, a second elongated aperture is formed in the leg 18 parallel with the aperture receiving the bolt 32 therethrough. Each of the brackets is provided in the side plate 24 thereof with a slot 36 extending generally vertically and in alignment with the aperture 30. The lower opening in the leg 18 is formed in alignment with'the upper end of the slots 36 whereby to receive a bolt 38 therethrough.

The'threaded ends of each of the bolts 32 and 38 is provided with a wing nut 40. By tightening the wing nuts 40 .upon the bolts 32 and 38, the leg 18 can be firmly clamped between the brackets 20 whereby permanently to mount and attach the leg 18 with respect to the table to 12.

ln certain instances it is desirable to be able to fold the leg 18 so that one of the longitudinal sides 42 thereof lies against the underneath surface 16 of the table top 12. To this end each of the side plates 20 is provided with an elongated slot 44 which is in general alignment with the lower slot 36. The ends of each of the slots 44 are square as is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawing. There is provided in the leg 18 and positioned above the aperture receiving the bolt 38, another aperture to receive a bolt 46 therethrough. The distance between the apertures receiving the bolts 38 and 46 is such that the bolts are positioned in the upper ends of the respective slots 36 and 44 when the upper end 34 of the leg 18 is in contact with the underneath surface 16 of the table top 12.

As had been explained above, it is desirable on oceasions .to fold the leg 18 with respect to the table top 12. Preferably this is done without removing the bolts 38 and 46. Accordingly, the lower end of the elongated slot 44 is so formed that the-bolt 38 clears the edges of the slot 36 when the bolt 46 is in the lower portion of the slot 44. This relationship of the parts is illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. Thereafter it is desirable to pivot the leg about the bolt 46, the bolt 38 moving upwardly along the edge of the side plate 24. To this end the lower ends of the side plate 28 are curved as at 48, the radius of curvature of the surface 48being equal to the distance between the center of the bolt 46 and the adjacent edge of the bolt 38. It will be noted that the lowerend of the side plate 24 is formed symmetrical in this respect whereby the leg can be folded in either direction from the position illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing.

After the leg has been folded to a position parallel to the under surface 16 of the table 12, it is found desirable to move the leg 18 upwardly so that one of the longitudinal edges 42 thereof is in engagement with and lies against the underneath surface 16 of the table 12. The lower end of the side plate 24, accordingly, is provided with a pair of parallel sides 50 which are formed tangential with respect to the curved edges 48. There is formed in alignment with the upper end of the elongated slot 44 and spaced therefrom to receive the bolt 38 therein a pair of notches 52. The notches 52 are adapted to receive the bolt 38 when the bolt 46 is at theupperend of the slot 44 as is best illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing. With the leg in the position illustrated in Figure 6, tightening of the wing nuts 40 on the bolts 38 and 46 will clamp and lock the leg 18 in the illustrated folded position.

If it is desired to mount the leg 18 in such a manner that it cannot be folded with respect to the table top 12 whereby to provide a rigid structure, only the apertures in the leg 18 to receive the bolts 32 and 38 need be drilled. The assembly is then made by attaching the brackets 20 to the table top 12 by applying the screws 26. The two holes to receive the bolts 32 and 38 are then drilled inthe leg 18. After inserting the leg between the side plates 24 to the position illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, the bolts 32 and 38 can be inserted and the wing nuts 40 tightened thereon. This will serve firmly and permanently to mount the leg 18 in a rigid, non-folding condition with respect to the table top 12.

If desired, the assembly described above can be converted to a folding leg assembly by drilling a third hole in the leg 18 to-receive the bolt 46 therethrough. Alternatively, a new leg 18 may be provided and only two holes drilled therein to receive the bolts 38 and 46. To assemble the leg 18 whereby to permit folding thereof, only the bolts 38 and 46 areinserted in their respective apertures. If the bolts are then moved to the upper ends of their respective slots 36 and 44, the leg 18 will be in the supporting position and can be retained in that position by tightening the wing nuts 40. If it is thereafter desired to fold the leg 18 against the surface 16 of the table top 12, this can be readily done in the manner illustrated pictorially in Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings. .The wing nuts 40 on the bolts 38 and 46 are first loosened, this permits the leg 18 to be dropped to the position illustrated in Figure 4. More specifically, the bolt 46 moves to the lower end of the slot 44. The bolt 38 moves out of the slot '36. The leg 18 can nowbe moved to the position illustrated in Figure 5 by pivoting the leg about the bolt 46. It will be noted that the bolt 38 rides along the curved edge 48 of the bracket 20. Thereafter the leg may be urged against the under surface 16 of the table 12 to the position illustrated in Figure 6. The leg can be held in this position by simply tightening the wingnuts 40 on the-bolts 38 and 46.

It will be seen that there has been provided a bracket and an assembly which fulfill all of the objects and advantages set forth above. More specifically, the bracket can be utilized either to provide a rigid non-folding support leg or a folding support leg on an associated support member. Although one preferred form of the invention has been illustrated in the drawings and described for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

-l. In combination a bracket having a pair of spaced side plates adapted to be attached to a planar support to extend normally thereto, means for securing said side plates to the under surface of said support, a leg having an upper end portion shaped to be slidably disposed between saidspaced side plates, each of said side plates having vertically disposed elongated closed slots formed therein and disposed normal to the plane of said support, said closed slots being formed centrally of the lateral marginal edges of each of said plates, each plate having an additional elongated open slot spaced from and disposed in line with the closed slot of each of said plates, said open slots of each plate having the outer ends opening onto the lower marginal edge of each of said plates, each of said side plates having an aperture formed therein and disposed toward the under surface of said support and in alignment with said slots, a pair of spaced bolts normally disposed in said slots and aperture, said leg being mounted rigid and non-folding With respect to said support when one of said bolts is disposed in said aperture and the other of said bolts is disposed in said open slot, said leg being foldable with respect to said support when said pair of spaced bolts is disposed in said aligned closed and open slots, said bolts when positioned in said slots passing through the upper central portion of said leg and being spaced apart such that when'the upper bolt is at the upper end of the upper closed slot the lower bolt will be at the upper end of the lower open slot and when the upper bolt is at the lower end of its slot, the lower bolt will be disposed wholly beyond the open end of the lower open slot, and the lower walls of each plate beginning with the outer open end of said open slots curving arcuately outwardly in opposite directions from each adjacent wall of said open end of said open slot and then extending substantially parallel to and directed away from said open slot toward the opposite end of said plate and formingon opposite marginal sides of said plate in equally spaced relation from the walls of said closed slots a pair of notches spaced laterally and equally from and in line with the upper end of said closed slots, said notches being open at their bottom portions and in position to receive the lower bolt therein.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the bolts has one end provided with a head overlying the marginal walls of the associated aperture and slot and notches with which said bolt cooperates, the opposite end of each of said bolts being threaded, and fastening means engaging said threaded ends and pressing against the marginal walls of the associated slots and, notches.

3. A bracket for use with a support member having an under surface and a leg comprising a pair of spaced apart plates, means for securing said plates to the under surface of the support member with the plates disposed substantially perpendicular to the under surface, said plates being positioned to receive therebetween the upper end of the leg, each of said side plates having vertically disposed elongated closed slots formed therein and disposed normal to the plane of said support, said closed slots being formed centrally of the lateral marginal edges of each of said plates, each plate having an additional elongated open slot spaced from and disposed in line with the closed slot of each of said plates, said open slots of each plate having the outer ends opening onto the lower marginal edge of each of said plates, each of said side plates having an aperture formed therein and disposed toward the under surface of said support and in alignment with said slots, a pair of spaced bolts normally disposed in said slots and aperture, said leg being mounted rigid and non-folding with respect to said support when one of said bolts is disposed in said aperture and the other of said bolts is disposed in said open slot, said leg being foldable with respect to said support when said pair of spaced bolts is disposed in said aligned closed and open slots, said bolts when positioned in said slots passing through the upper central portion of said leg and being spaced apart such that when the upper bolt is at the upper end of the upper closed slot the lower bolt will be at the upper end of the lower open slot and when the upperbolt is at the lower end of the slot, the lower bolt will be disposed wholly beyond the open end of the lower open slot, and the lower walls of each plate beginning with the outer open end of said open slots curving arcuately outwardly in opposite directions from each adjacent wall of said open end of said open slot and then extending substantially parallel to and directed away from said open slot toward the opposite end of said plate and forming on opposite marginal sides of said plate in equally spaced relation from the walls of said closed slots a pair of notches spaced laterally and equally from and in line with the upper end of said closed slots, said notches being open at their bottom portions and in position to receive the lower bolt therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Smock Nov. 6, 1917 Forcier Jan. 17, 1939 Ralson May 28, 1940 Larson Feb. 21, 1956 Larson Nov. 6, 1956 Larson June 18, 1957 

